The 45th: Trump breaks silence on Moore allegations

22 November 2017

This week's edition of The 45th newsletter.

President Donald Trump has defended Roy Moore, the Alabama Republican Senate candidate accused of sexual misconduct with minors. He also called on Alabama voters not to support Doug Jones, the Democratic candidate running against Moore in the 12 December special election.

"If you look at what is really going on, and you look at all the things that have happened over the last 48 hours, [Moore] totally denies it. He says it didn’t happen. You have to listen to him also," Trump said.

“We don’t need a liberal person in there, a Democrat, Jones. I’ve looked at his record. It’s terrible on crime. It’s terrible on the border. It’s terrible on the military."

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and a number of other prominent Republican senators have said that they cannot support Moore's candidacy and called on him to withdraw from the race.

Asked whether he might campaign for Moore in advance of the special election next month, Trump appeared to leave the door open, stating: "I'll be letting you know next week."